Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 34615-34618] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: E8-13180]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD; Amendment 39-15560; AD 2008-12-16] RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect electrical wires/components, hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies at left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) inboard wing leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson. If chafing/ arcing is found, this AD requires you to reposition, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires, components, and hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies, as required. This AD also requires you to reposition the battery lead cables, cover four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and secure with clamps, and protect the battery power cable. This AD results from five reports of chafing between the bleed air tube and the electrical starter cables with one incident resulting in a fire. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing/arcing of electrical wires, components, and bleed air lines. This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires and burn a hole in the bleed air line or the nearby hydraulic line, and lead to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 23, 2008. On July 23, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 Aerospace Repair Station, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279- 0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7789. To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On March 7, 2008, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain M7 Aerospace LP SA226 and SA227 series airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 14, 2008 (73 FR 13806). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect electrical wires/ components, hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies at LH and RH inboard wing leading edge/battery box areas, LH/RH wing stations 51.167 to 81.174, and at all feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson. If chafing/arcing is found, this proposed AD would require you to reposition, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires, components, and hydraulic and bleed air tube assemblies, as required. This proposed AD would also require you to reposition the battery lead cables, cover four-gauge wires leaving the battery box with firesleeving and secure with clamps, and protect the battery power cable.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections: Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 330 airplanes in the U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs for all Models SA226, SA227, SA227- CC, and SA227-DC airplanes to do the inspection following SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 226-24-036, SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. 227- 24-019, or SA227 Series Commuter Category Service Bulletin No. CC7-24- 010:

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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost per Total cost on Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 work-hours x $80 per hour = $320........... Not Applicable................. $320 $105,600 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226- T, and SA226-TC airplanes for the repositioning of battery lead cables following SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24-001:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost per Number of airplanes Total cost on Labor cost Parts cost airplane affected U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 work-hours x $80 per $6.80 $326.80 2 $653.60 hour = $320 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226- T, SA226-TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes following SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-019 or SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-001, for the covering of four-gauge wires leaving battery box with firesleeving and securing with clamp:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost per Number of airplanes Total cost on Labor cost Parts cost airplane affected U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 work-hours x $80 $6.80 $1,046.80 70 $73,276 per hour = $1,040 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs for certain Models SA226-AT, SA226- TC, SA227-AC, and SA227-AT airplanes following SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-020 or SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24-002, for the protection of the battery power cable:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total cost per Number of airplanes Total cost on Labor cost Parts cost airplane affected U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50 work-hours x $80 $3,000 $7,000 60 $420,000 per hour = $4,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority. We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: 1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and 3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0 Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

0 2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-12-16-M7 Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-15560; Docket No. FAA-2008- 0313; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-095-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective on July 23, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers (S/N) that are certificated in any category:

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(1) Group 1: Model SA226-AT Airplanes, All S/N. (2) Group 2: Model SA226-T Airplanes, All S/N. (3) Group 3: Model SA226-TC Airplanes, All S/N. (4) Group 4: Model SA227-AC Airplanes, All S/N. (5) Group 5: Model SA227-AT Airplanes, All S/N. (6) Group 6: Model SA227-CC Airplanes, All S/N. (7) Group 7: Model SA227-DC Airplanes, All S/N.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from five reports of chafing between the bleed air tube and the electrical starter cables with one incident resulting in a fire. We are adopting this AD to detect and correct chafing/arcing of electrical wires, components, and bleed air lines. This condition could result in arcing of the exposed wires and burn a hole in the bleed air line or the nearby hydraulic line, and lead to a possible hydraulic fluid leak and fire in the engine nacelle compartment.

Compliance

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:

Table 1.--Actions, Compliance, and Procedures ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Actions Compliance Procedures ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) For Group 1, Group 2, Within 250 hours Follow M7 Aerospace and Group 3 Airplanes: time-in-service SA226 Series (i) Inspect electrical wires/ (TIS) after July Service Bulletin components, hydraulic and 23, 2008 (the No. 226-24-036, bleed air tube assemblies effective date of issued: September at left-hand (LH)/right- this AD). 19, 2007; hand (RH) inboard wing Repetitively Swearingen Aviation leading edge/battery box thereafter inspect Corporation SA226 areas, LH/RH wing stations (paragraph Series Service 51.167 to 81.174, and at (e)(1)(i) of this Bulletin No. SB 24- all feed-through locations AD) at intervals 001, issued: May into the LH/RH inboard not to exceed 12 18, 1971; revised: keelson for any evidence of months. September 16, 1975; chafing/arcing. Clear, Fairchild Aircraft repair, and/or replace all Corporation SA226 chafed electrical wires and Series Service components, hydraulic, and Bulletin No. SB 24- bleed air tube assemblies, 019, issued: June and all feed-through 2, 1982; revised: locations, as required. May 17, 1983; and (ii) Reposition battery lead Fairchild Aircraft cables, protect the battery Corporation SA226 power cable, and cover four- Series Service gauge wires leaving battery Bulletin No. SB 24- box with firesleeving and 020, issued: secure with clamp. January 18, 1983; revised: February 15, 1984. (2) For Group 4 and Group 5 Within 250 hours TIS Follow M7 Aerospace Airplanes: after July 23, 2008 SA227 Series (i) Inspect electrical wires/ (the effective date Service Bulletin components, hydraulic and of this AD). No. 227-24-019, bleed air tube assemblies Repetitively issued: September at LH/RH inboard wing thereafter inspect 19, 2007; Fairchild leading edge/battery box (paragraph Aircraft areas, LH/RH wing stations (e)(2)(i) of this Corporation SA227 51.167 to 81.174, and at AD) at intervals Series Service all feed-through locations not to exceed 12 Bulletin No. SB24- into the LH/RH inboard months. 001, issued: June keelson for any evidence of 2, 1982; revised: chafing/arcing. Clear, May 17, 1983; and repair, and/or replace all Fairchild Aircraft chafed electrical wires and Corporation SA227 components, hydraulic, and Series Service bleed air tube assemblies, Bulletin No. SB24- and all feed-through 002, issued: locations, as required. January 18, 1983; (ii) Protect the battery revised: February power cable and cover four- 15, 1984. gauge wires leaving battery box with firesleeving and secure with clamp. (3) For Group 6 and Group 7 Within 250 hours TIS Follow M7 Aerospace Airplanes: Inspect after July 23, 2008 SA227 Series electrical wires/ (the effective date Commuter Category components, hydraulic and of this AD). Service Bulletin bleed air tube assemblies Repetitively No. CC7-24-010, at LH/RH inboard wing thereafter inspect issued: September leading edge/battery box at intervals not to 19, 2007. areas, LH/RH wing stations exceed 12 months. 51.167 to 81.174, and at all feed-through locations into the LH/RH inboard keelson for any evidence of chafing/arcing. Clear, repair, and/or replace all chafed electrical wires and components, hydraulic, and bleed air tube assemblies, and all feed-through locations, as required. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Although not a requirement of this AD, you may incorporate Swearingen Aviation Corporation SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. 57-010, Revised: December 5, 1975, on those airplanes that have not installed the access panel. Installation of the access panel will simplify the incorporation of the service bulletins referenced in this AD and future inspections of the areas of concern.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) The Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Werner Koch, Aerospace Engineer, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone: (817) 222-5133; fax: (817) 222-5960. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(g) You must use the service information specified in TABLE 2-- Material Incorporated by Reference of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

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(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact M7 Aerospace Repair Station, P.O. Box 790490, San Antonio, Texas 78279- 0490; telephone: (210) 824-9421; fax: (210) 804-7789. (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202- 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Service Bulletin No. Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (i) M7 Aerospace SA226 Series Service Issued: September 19, 2007. Bulletin No. 226-24-036. (ii) Swearingen Aviation Corporation Issued: May 18, 1971, Revised: SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24- September 16, 1975. 001. (iii) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Issued: June 2, 1982, Revised: SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24- May 17, 1983. 019. (iv) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Issued: January 18, 1983, SA226 Series Service Bulletin No. SB 24- Revised: February 15, 1984. 020. (v) M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Service Issued: September 19, 2007. Bulletin No. 227-24-019. (vi) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Issued: June 2, 1982, Revised: SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24- May 17, 1983. 001. (vii) Fairchild Aircraft Corporation Issued: January 18, 1983, SA227 Series Service Bulletin No. SB24- Revised: February 15, 1984. 002. (viii) M7 Aerospace SA227 Series Issued: September 19, 2007. Commuter Category Service Bulletin No. CC7-24-010. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 4, 2008. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-13180 Filed 6-17-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P